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Grand Rapids Juneteenth celebrations focus on culture, police-community relations

This Juneteenth marks 153 years since the last slaves gained their freedom in 1865.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Two Grand Rapids celebrations of Juneteenth, the holiday commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.

One event, the "Dickinson Dundunba" on the city's southeast side, was an homage to freedom and African-American culture.

There is no African-American without African, said Jewellynne Richardson organizer of the celebration and leader of West Michigan Jewels of Africa, a traditional dance and drum group.

"We are celebrating the fact that America has moved forward," Richardson said. "We are not one hundred percent free, but we are celebrating the face that we have made contributions to this society. We are proud of the African-American contributions."

Richardson and others spoke over the chorus of drums, dancing in Dickinson Park. Just a few minutes away, people gathered for a celebration focused on improving police relations with the African-American community.

The Grand Rapids Police department hosted the "Brann's Building Bridges Juneteenth Extravaganza" at Martin Luther King Park. The department has been working on improving community relations and trust for years.

The event allows for people to see each other in a new light, said Tyrone Bynum, a local attorney and the organizer.

"We wanted the officers to see the kids as kids and not as suspects," Bynum said. "We wanted the kids to see the officers as people and not as officers. And we want individuals to get along. And during this time of Juneteenth this is the perfect time for it."

Richardson said it's refreshing to see more than one event recognizing emancipation.

"We are so proud that the people in Grand Rapids know that we need more than one celebration," she said.

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